What Is a Bridal Photo Session and Should You Have One?

Booking a photographer for your wedding is a crucial step in the planning process. After all, you will want to save those memories for years to come. However, did you know that there are photography options that happen well before the big day? In addition to engagement photos, which a couple takes together, there is another pre-wedding photo shoot that a bride may do on her own. A bridal photo session (also known as a bridal portrait) is an opportunity for a photographer to capture the bride in stunning images that document this special time in their life. While it's not as common as an engagement photo session, the shoot is a great opportunity for someone to fully celebrate the bridal experience.

Wedding photographer Twah Dougherty explains, "A bridal session is a photo shoot taken one to two months prior to the wedding day where brides wear a selection of outfits—like the rehearsal dinner dress, post-wedding brunch look, or after-party ensemble—in several locations to capture this very unique stage in life. This session could include boudoir photos—where brides can don their honeymoon lingerie—which makes for a unique surprise wedding-day gift for their spouse."

If you are considering adding a bridal photo session to your pre-wedding itinerary, read ahead for a breakdown of the process and tips so you can have the best shoot possible.

Why Have a Bridal Photo Session?

Why should a bride have a pre-wedding photo shoot? "Doing a bridal session is an empowering gift to yourself (especially if boudoir is involved) to capture all that you are in this moment of life before your status legally changes from single to married," says Dougherty. "One day, life will look very different. Looking back, you’ll truly appreciate how unique the engagement period was."

Dougherty says it's also a great time to prepare yourself for all the photos you'll take on your wedding day. "Doing a bridal session is an amazing way to practice getting comfortable in front of a professional lens and to learn your good angles before the big day," she shares. "It’s also an opportunity to play with different hair and makeup looks to see which style photographs best on you."

What to Wear to a Bridal Photo Session

If you're wondering what to wear to your bridal session, know that there isn't a standard dress code for the shoot. "When it comes to fashion and personal expression, there are very little rules other than being true to yourself," says Dougherty. "Consider incorporating your wedding weekend looks like the rehearsal outfit, the after-party dress, or the post-wedding brunch attire. You’ll give those outfits more mileage as they’ll be photographed in ideal lighting scenarios and stylized environments. Other looks to consider are honeymoon outfits that won’t otherwise have a chance to get professionally photographed."

"Don’t forget about accessories like purses, shoes, earrings and headpieces that will finish off your ensemble," she adds. "If your budget allows, there are bridal stylists available to help curate an entire look for your shoot and wedding weekend. The most important thing is whatever outfits you choose, it should absolutely make you feel confident and your best self when you wear it."

How Much Does a Bridal Photo Session Cost?

If you plan to have a bridal photo session, make sure you factor it into your budget for the entire wedding. You should account for any professional hair and makeup you may get before the shoot, additional outfits you might purchase, and your photographer's fees. "Depending on your budget and the level of the photographer’s experience and demand, you can plan to spend anywhere from $800 for photographers still building their portfolio to $7000 for in-demand luxury photographers," says Dougherty.

Where to Take a Bridal Photo Session

While some brides may choose to book a photo studio, bridal photo sessions are usually taken out in the world. Dougherty shares they are more similar to a "lifestyle" photo shoot. "To create variety in the photos, do consider shooting in several locations within a vicinity that has meaning to you, from your home to a cute sidewalk café to a favorite city street or a beach town that you frequent," she says. "If you are able to invest in renting a space, sites like Peerspace, Splacer, and Giggster have well-designed, brightly lit furnished homes and studios that can be rented by the hour."

When to Take a Bridal Photo Session

Dougherty says you should factor your portraits into your wedding planning timeline one to two months prior to your wedding date. "By this time, most of the big important wedding details have been worked out, which frees up your mind to focus on bridal outfits," she says.

When booking your photographer, make sure to clarify their availability for your shoot. "A bridal session can take as little as one hour and go up to three hours," notes Dougherty. "An amazing time to have your shoot is early in the morning about an hour or two after sunrise, which always produces that soft morning light. It’s also the time when public places such as city streets, parks, and beaches are the most quiet." She adds, "Don’t forget to schedule a fun friends’ brunch afterwards since you’ve already had your hair and makeup done."